Convertible vehicle top frame



April 14, 1959 D. WATERMAN CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE TOP FRAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 10, 1956 April 14, 1959 n. WATERMAN 2,882,092

CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE TOP FRAME Filed May 1o, 195e 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 pfff . y iillHlilll. 45W

YTOR/VEY April 1'4, 1959 n. WATERMAN 2,882,092

, CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE TOP FRAME Filed May 10, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

i United States Patent CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE TOP FRAME Dana Waterman, Birmingham, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware' Application May 10, 1956, Serial No. 584,020

Claims. (Cl. 296-116) This invention relates to vehicle convertible tops and more particularly to an improved linkage arrangement for controlling the folding movement of convertible top frame side rails and a convertible top bow.

In many present convertible tops, the linkage arrangement controlling the folding movement of the top frame side rails is partially located above the rails in the raised position of the top. This linkage arrangement usually supports a top bow, with the movement and positioning of the bow being controlled by top fabric travel. Since the linkage arrangement is positioned above the side rails and supports a top bow which is located still further above the side rails, the top has a rather large depth in raised position which detracts from its appearance. The linkage arrangement is also easily seen from within the vehicle which further detracts from the appearance of the top.

The linkage arrangement of this invention in its preferred embodiment is positioned substantially in alignment with the top frame side rails in the raised position of the top. The linkage arrangement thus presents a substantially unbroken appearance with the top frame side rails when viewed from within the Ibody in the raised position of the top.v The top bow is supported on the side rails, with the folding movement and positioning of the bow being controlled by the linkage arrangement. By thus controlling the folding movement and positioning of the top bow, the top bow folds in a smooth and continuous manner and assumes the desired position when the top is in raised position. Since the linkage arrangement is positioned substantially in alignment with the side rails and the top bow is supported on the side rails rather than being supported on the linkage arrangement, the convertible top of this invention presents a substantially hat and shallow appearance in raised position.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved linkage arrangement for controlling the folding movement of a convertible top. Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved linkage arrangement for controlling the folding movement of a convertible top and the folding movement of a convertible top bow. A more specific object of this invention is to provide a new and improved linkage arrangement for controlling the folding movement of convertible top frame side rails and a convertible top bow wherein the linkage arrangement is positioned substantially in alignment with the top frame side rails in the raised position of the top. A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism for positively controlling the folding movement of a convertible top bow and locating the bow in the desired position when the vtop is in raised position.'

These and other objects of this invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a partial side elevational view of a convertible type vehicle having a foldable top frame embodying a linkage arrangement according to this invention;

Figure 2 is a partial plan view taken on the plane indi- Patented Apr. 14, 1959 ICC cated by line 2--2 of Figure 1 of a portion of the foldable top frame, with parts broken away for clarity;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the top frame of Figure 1 showing the linkage arrangement of this invention when the top frame and top `.bow are in raised position;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the linkage arrangement of this invention in partially folded position;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated byline 5-5 of Figure l;

Figure '6 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by line 6-6 of Figure l; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by line 7 7 of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, a convertible type vehicle S includes a body 10, a windshield 12, a windshield header 14, and front doors 16 which are hinged at their forward edge to the body and latched at their rearward edge thereon to provide access to the interior of the body. Body 10 is provided with a foldable top frame 18 which supports the top fabric 19. Only one side of the top frame is shown and described since both sides are of the same construction. The top frame includes front rail sections 20, intermediate rail sections 22 pivoted to the front rail sections at 23, Figures 3 and 4, and rear rail sections 24 pivoted within the body as is well known in the art and driven by a suitable power actuating mechanism. A top header 26 spans the front rail sections 20 and engages the windshield header in the raised position of the top frame. Suitable latches of conventional type (not shown) may be provided to latch the top header to the windshield header.

A rigid rear window frame 28 includes depending arms 30 which are pivoted within the `body in a suitable manner, and a rigid rear window 32 is supported within the frame. An arm 34 extends forwardly from each depending arm 30 of the rigid window frame and is pivoted at 36 to a bracket 38 which extends upwardly from the rear portion of each intermediate rail section 22. Arms 34 pivotally support at 37 a transverse rear bow 39. Each of the bows is of similar construction and will be described more fully hereinafter. Arms 40 are rigidly secured to the rear rail sections 24 at 42 and pivoted on the intermediate rail sections 22 at 44. An intermediate transverse bow 46, is pivotally supported on arms 40 and the intermediate rail sections by pivots 44. Arms 40 extend beyond pivots 44 and are pivoted at 48 to the arcuate oiset ends 50 of arms 52. The forward ends of arms 52 are pivoted at 54 to toggle linkages 55 which include links S6 and 58. Pivots 54 include a shouldered stud which is threaded into one end of links 56 as shown in Figure 2, with arms 52 and links 58 being rotatably supported on the studs. The intermediate rail sections 22 are provided with bosses 60, Figures 2 and 7, having threaded bores 62. Shouldered studs 64 are threaded into bores 62 to provide pivotal supports for the offset ends 66 of links 58. Similar bosses 68 having threaded bores 70, Figures 2 and 6, are provided on the front rail sections 20. Shouldered studs 72 are threaded within bores 70, and receive slots 73 in the free ends of links 56 to pivotally and slidably support the links on the studs. Arcuate arms 74, Figure 5, have offset portions v76 welded to the front bow 78 and are pivoted on studs 72, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, to pivotally mount the front bow on the front rail sections. As previously mentioned, each of the bows is of similar construction. Bows 39 and 46 are pivotally supported at their ends by similar arms 82 and 84, respectively, which are pivoted on arms 34 and the intermediate rail sections, respectively, at 37 and 44 as previously described.

Referring now particularly to Figures 2 and 3, the ends of links 56 which are pivotally and slidably supported on studs 72 include portions 88 provided with laterally outwardly extending pins 90 for a purpose to be fully described hereinafter. Arms 74 are provided with laterally outwardly extending pins 92 which are engaged by slots 94 of links 56 in the raised position of the top frame, as shown in Figure 3. Arms 96 are pivotally mounted on studs 72, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, and provided with laterally outwardly extending pins 98 and flanges 100 which bear against bosses 102 on the upper edges of the front rail sections in the raised position of the top, as shown in Figure 5, to limit downward swinging movement of arms 96 about studs 72. Tension springs 104 have one end secured to pins 98 and the other end secured to laterally outwardly extending pins 106 provided on links 56 adjacent slots 94.

In the raised position of the top frame, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, slots 94 of links 56 engage pins 92 of arms 74 to locate the front bow 78 in a substantially upright position and tension fabric 19 between bow 78 and header 26. In this position of the top frame, pivots 64, 54, and 72 are substantially in alignment since links 56 and 58 are substantially in alignment with each other and with arms 52, and the links and arms are aligned with rail sections 20 and 22. Arms 52 are controlled by arms 40 and maintain links 56 and 58 in alignment with each other to hold the rear ends of slots 73 in engagement with studs 72 and bias slots 94 of links 56 into engagement with pins 92 on arms 74 to positively locate bow 78 in an upright position. Springs 104 maintain flanges 100 of arms 96 in engagement with bosses 102 to prevent loose play or rattling of the arms. Since links 56 and 58 are in alignment with arms 52 and the rail sections 20 and 22, the convertible top linkage arrangement is substantially in alignment with the side rails to decrease the depth of the top and locate the linkage arrangement in an inconspicuous manner as viewed from within the body. The top bow 78 is also pivoted on the front rail section 20 rather than on links 56 and 58 to aid in decreasing the depth of the top so that it presents a rather flat and shallow appearance in raised position.

In prior convertible top structures, links 56 and 58 are pivoted on rail sections 20 and 22, respectively, and located in a partially folded position above the side rails when the top is in raised position. Since the pivotal connections 54 are thus located substantially above the side rails and usually support the top bow 78, these tops have a rather large required depth as compared to the required depth of a top according to this invention. Arms 52 are also located entirely above the side rails in these prioi convertible top structures to further require a large top depth.

When the top frame is initially lowered, rail sections 24 begin to swing rearwardly about their pivots within the body. As the rear rail sections swing rearwardly, pivots 44 will be moved upwardly and rearwardly. The front and intermediate rail sections 20 and 22 will remain in alignment with each other and start to move counterclockwise about pivots 44. As brackets 38 are shifted downwardly by arms 34 which act as a reaction member, the rigid window frame 28 swings to lowered position about the pivotal supports of arms 30 at a slower rate of travel than rail sections 24. This initial movement of the front and intermediate rail sections about pivots 44 relative to the rear rail sections will cause arms 52 to be moved from their position A of Figure 3, in alignment with links 56 and 58, to their position B of Figure 4 wherein the alignment of links 56 and 58 is broken and the links are moved to a partially folded position B as slots 73 of links 56 slide rearwardly about studs 72 until the forward ends of the slots engage pins 72.

During the initial folding movement of the top frame, rail sections 20 and 22 will remain in alignment with each other since slots 73 in links 56 allow links 56 and 58 toV be partially folded without folding the rail sections. In the partially folded position B of links 56 and 58 and the position B of arms 52, as shown in Figure 4, pins of links 56 have shifted from their position adjacent studs 72 to a position B rearward of the studs as the forward ends of the slots 73 engage the studs. The lower edges of arms 96 are cut away at 105 to allow pins 90 to shift rearwardly and upwardly with links 56 without engaging arms 96 during the initial folding movement of the top frame.

When links 56 and 58 move to their partially folded position B, slots 94 are removed from engagement with pins 92 of arms 74 to release the arms and front bow from links 56. However, the bow will remain in its substantially upright position with respect to front rail sections 28 since the fabric top 19 between the bow and front header 26 has not been folded and most of the weight of the bow is to the rea-r of studs 72. It will be noted that during movement of links 56 to their partially folded position B, springs 104 have been placed under a greater tension and shifted upwardly as pins 106 shift upwardly with links 56. However, flanges of arms 96 remain in engagement with bosses 102 on the upper edges of the front rail sections 20 since springs 104 exert a tension force transverse and below a line through pivots 72 and pins 9S and tending to swing arms 96 downwardly.

As the top frame continues to fold, arms 52 are further shifted rearwardly to further fold links 56 and 58 and start initial folding movement of the front and intermediate rail sections, with the front rail sections folding rearwardly over the intermediate rail sections. During this initial folding movement of the front and intermediate rail sections and further folding movement of links 56 and 58, pins 90 of links 56 will engage notches 110 on the free ends of arms 96 in a position indicated schematically at C, Figure 4, although the rail sections 20 and 22 are shown in alignment. Since springs 104 exert a tension force tending to swing arms 96 downwardly, the springs will hold notches 110 of arms 96 in engagement with pins 90 during continued folding movement of the side rails and links 56 and 58 to provide a pivotal connection between links 56 and studs 72 rather than a slidable and pivotal connection. Thus, further folding movement of the side rails will be accomplished evenly and smoothly without sliding movement of links S6 about studs 72. Arms 96 and springs 104 will be shifted about studs 72 with links 56 due to the action of springs 104 holding notches 110 of the arms in engagement with pins 90.

The front bow 78 will remain substantially in its 11pright position with respect to the front rail sections, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, as the front rail sections begin `t-o fold rearwardly over the intermediate rail sections. This is true since most of the weight of the bow is placed to the rear of studs 72 and the fabric top has not been folded to any great extent. However, as the folding movement of the front rail sections and links 56 and 58 continues, links 56 will engage the top bow 78 at 112 adjacent the juncture of the top bow with arms 74 to fold the bow forwardly or counterclockwise about studs 72 as the front rail sections continue to fold rearwardly over the intermediate rail sections and the top frame moves to its lowered position. The approximate position of links 56 when they engage the top bow is indicated schematically at C in Figure 4, although the rail sections are shown in alignment. During the folding movement of the top frame, frame 28 continues to swing rearwardly about its pivotal support within the body; rear rail sections 24 move rearwardly about their pivotal supports within the body; the intermediate rail sections 22 swing rearwardly -or clockwise about pivots 44; and the front rail sections swing rearwardly or clockwise about pivots 23 as the front bow 28 and toggle linkages 55 are folded as described.

In the lowered position of the top frame, the rear rail sections 24 are stacked above the rear window frame 28 and arms 34; the intermediate rail sections 22 are stacked above the rear rail sections 24; and the front rail sections 20 are stacked above the intermediate rail sections. When the front rail sections are stacked above the intermediate rail sections, links 56 and 58 are in a substantially folded position. Since links 56 continually engage the front bow after the initial folding movement of the top frame to `fold the bow forwardly or counterclockwise about studs 72, the bow will be disposed in a folded position wherein the bow 78 will be located in a substantially upright position above the toggle linkage, and arms 74 will be located in a substantially horizontal position. Thus, the bow is positioned out Aof the way of the adjacent toggle linkage and will support the top fabric away from the toggle linkage to prevent pinching or tearing of the fabric.

When the top frame moves to a substantially raised position, links 56 and 58 are in a partially folded position, links 56 being at C, and rail sections 20 and 22 are also in a partially folded position. As arms 52 continue to move links 56 and 58 toward alignment, links 56 move to position B wherein pins 90 of the links are released from engagement with notches 110 of arms 96 so that front and intermediate rail sections 20 and 22 move into alignment as studs 72 move from the rear ends to the front ends of slots 73 of links 56. Flanges 100 of arms 96 move into engagement with bosses 102 on front rail sections 20 when links 56 move to position B and remain in engagement with bosses 102 as the front and intermediate rail sections move into alignment upon release of pins 90 from notches 110 since springs 104 will hold flanges 100 in engagement with bosses 102 when links 56 are in either position B or a position A in alignment with links 58 as previously described.

Bow 78 moves to a substantially upright position when links 56 move to position B since the top fabric 19 is tensioned between bow 78 and header 26 when rail sections 20 and 22 move into alignment and links 56 are released from engagement with portions 112 of the bow when the links move from position C to position B. Upon movement of link 56 from position C to an aligned position A with links 58 and arms 52, links 56 slide relative to studs 72 until studs 72 engage the rear ends of slots 73 and slots 94 of links 56 engage pins 92 of arms 74 to positively locate bow 78 in an upright position.

Thus, this invention provides a new and improved linkage arrangement for controlling the folding movement of convertible top frame side rails and a convertible top bow and locating the bow in a substantially upright position when the top frame is in raised position. The linkage arrangement is positioned substantially in alignment with the top frame side rails in the raised position of the top to decrease the depth of the top and present a substantially unbroken appearance with the top frame side rails when viewed from within the body and in the raised position of the top.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, various changes and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. In a convertible top frame movable to raised and lowered positions, a pair of adjacent side rail sections, means interconnecting said sections for folding movement thereof, transverse bow means pivotally supported at one end thereof on one of said side rail sections, and means controlling the folding movement of said bow and locating said bow in substantially upright position when said top frame is in raised position, said means includng articulated linkage means pivotally supported on each of said rail sections and being foldable as said top frame is lowered to fold said rail sections, keeper means on said bow in spaced relationship with the pivotal support thereof, latch means on said linkage means engageable with said keeper means in the raised position of said top frame to locate said bow in substantially upright position, said latch means being releasable from engagement with said keeper means as said linkage means is folded, and means on said bow engageable by said linkage means as said linkage means and side rail sections are folded to fold said bow.

2. In a convertible top frame movable to raised and lowered positions, a pair of adjacent side rail sections, means interconnecting said sections for folding movement thereof, transverse bow means pivotally supported at one end thereof on one of said rail sections, and means controlling the folding movement of said bow and locating said bow in substantially upright position when said top frame is in raised position, said means includng articulated linkage means having one end thereof pivotally secured to one of said rail sections and having the other end thereof pivotally secured to the other of said rail sections by lost motion means whereby said linkage means may be partially folded prior to folding movement of said side rail sections, keeper means on said bow in spaced relationship with the pivotal support thereof, latch means on said linkage means engageable with said keeper means in the raised position of said top frame to locate said bow in said substantially upright position, said latch means being releasable from engagement with said keeper means as said linkage means is partially folded prior to folding movement of said side rail sections, and means yon said bow engageable by said linkage means as said linkage means and side rail sections are folded to fold said bow.

3. In a convertible top frame movable to raised and lowered positions, a pair of adjacent side rail sections, means interconnecting said sections for folding movement thereof, rst and second pivot means on a respective side rail section, articulated linkage means having one end thereof pivotally secured to said rst pivot means, lost motion means pivotally and slidably securing the other end of said articulated linkage means to said second pivot means whereby said linkage means may be shifted relative to said second pivot means to partially fold said linkage means prior to folding movement of said side rail sections, keeper means on said second pivot means, means on said linkage means engageable with said keeper means upon partial folding movement of said linkage means to prevent shifting movement of said linkage means relative to said second pivot means upon continued folding movement of said linkage means, and means interconnecting said keeper means and said linkage means to hold said keeper means in engagement with said means on said linkage means upon continued folding movement of said linkage means.

4. ln a convertible top frame movable to raised and lowered positions, a pair of adjacent side rail sections, means interconnecting said side rail sections for folding movement thereof, articulated linkage means controlling the folding movement of said side rail sections and having one end thereof pivotally supported on one of said side rail sections, means supporting the other end of said linkage means on the other of said side rail sections for pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto, said latter means including a pin and slot connection, said linkage means being located in substantial alignment with said side rail sections in the unfolded position thereof, operating means operatively connected to said linkage means for bodily moving said other end thereof relative to said other side rail section to move said linkage means to a partially folded position out of alignment with said side rail sections prior to folding movement of said rail sections, and means operative upon movement of said linkage means to said partially folded position including latching means to alter said pin and slot connection into a pivotal connection to prevent bodily movement between said other end thereof and said other side rail section whereby continued operation of said operating means will fold said linkage meansand thereby fold said side rail sections relative to each other.

5. Ina convertible top frame movable to raised and lowered positions, avr pair of adjacent side rail sections, means interconnecting said side rail sections for folding movement thereof, articulated linkage means controlling the folding movement of said side rail sections and having one end'thereot' pivotally supported on one of said side rail sections, means supporting the other end of said linkage means on the other of said side rail sections for pivotal and bodily movement relative thereto, said latter means including a pin and slot connection, said linkage means being located in substantial alignment With said side rail sections in the unfolded position thereof, operating means operatively connected tovsaid linkage means for bodily moving said other end thereof relative to said other side rail section to movesaid linkage means to a partially folded position out of alignment with said side rail sections prior to folding movementof said side rail S sections, keeper means on said other of said side rail sections, and means on'said linkage means engageable with said keeper means upon movement of said linkage means to said partially folded position to alter said pin and slot connection into a pivotal `connection to thereby prevent bodily movement between said other end thereof and said other side rail section whereby continued operation of said operating means will fold said linkage means and thereby fold said side rail sections relative to each other.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,079,232 Smith May 4, 1937 2,549,153 Ackermans Apr. 17, 1951 2,578,990 Bessonneau Dec. 18, 1951 2,686,078 Hale et al Aug. l0, 1954 2,729,502 Hale et al. Jan. 3, 1956 

